republic of botswana social policies for the life course: social transfers botswana case presented...
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REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA
SOCIAL POLICIES FOR THE LIFE COURSE: SOCIAL TRANSFERS
BOTSWANA CASEPresented by: Papadi Evelyn NguvauvaDeputy Commissioner – Social Benefits
10 – 14 OCTOBER 2010JOHANNESBURGSOUTH AFRICA
INTRODUCTION
Country Profile:
• Population – (2001):1 680 862
• 2010 projections: 1 800 098
• Male: 885 902
• Female: 925 066
Adult Literacy Rate: 81.2%
Poverty Rate: 23%
Social Safety Nets Programmes implemented by Ministry of Local
GovernmentSocial Welfare Category No. of Beneficiaries
Care and support to patients
Community Home Based care patients
1837
Social safety nets programmes
Old age pensioners 90579
World War II veterans 3000
Destitute persons 31991
School Feeding 331000
Orphans 44003
Ipelegeng (Labour Based Public Works)
40433
TOTAL 542 843
Source: DSS Monthly statistics
Cash Transfer programmes ORPHANS SCHOOL FEEDING DESTITUTE
PERSONSSTATE OLD AGE
PENSION
Objectives of the Programme
Attend to immediate needs of orphans
Minimise child malnutrition and stunting and enhance learning
assistance to insure good health and welfare
Provide financial security to the elderly
Target group Orphaned children
School age children Poor and destitute individuals unable to work
Older individuals
Eligibility criteria
Child under 18 who has lost one (single parents) or two (married couples) biological or adoptive parents.
Enrolment at government school
Due to disabilities or chronic ill health, incapable of sustainable economic activity
Age 65 or over, with Botswana citizenship and valid Identity Card
Coverage National. National National. National
No. of beneficiaries (2010) figures
44003 331 000 31991 90579
Value of transfer
Food: P450-700
No data Food: P450-700
P220
Other: variable
Cash: P81
Type of transfer
Food; school fees, uniform and other education costs; clothing
Food Food and cash
Cash
Frequency of transfer
Monthly Once daily during school term( three meals for boarders)
Monthly Monthly
Graduation criteria
Reach 18th birthday
Leave school ‘Ability to sustain own livelihood’.
NA
ORPHANS SCHOOL FEEDING DESTITUTE PERSONS
STATE OLD AGE PENSION
Programmes Successes
• School feeding programme has increased the attendance rate
• Financial security for old age pensioners
• Reduced stigma to OVC
• Food security
• Provision of shelter to the needy
Challenges on the programmes• No linkages with other programmes, some benefit more than once
(e.g. an orphan staying with a destitute grandparent)
• There is no single register for all the claim holders of different programmes (programmes scattered in different Ministries)
• Cases of abuse of the benefits are reported (especially for the OVC) by the caregivers
• Separation of siblings by relatives so as to benefit from the programme
• Temporary Destitute persons not willing to graduate from the programme and engage in income generating programmes
• Lack of an over arching policy for all the safety net programmes
Lessons Learnt
• Need to move to cash transfers rather than food basket so as to give claim holders the chance to use the cash in other beneficial activities within the household
• The universal coverage does not bring stigma against the beneficiaries
• Need to determine the impact of these programmes at household and individual levels
• Non targeting for Orphans and OAP – brings issue of sustainability
• There is need for a ministry of Social Development to coordinate all the safety net programmes.